Ischico



The Dutch-Indian pianist Ischico Velzel is a musical explorer who gives classical music a contemporary twist by blending her own works with pop, folk music, jazz, and improvisation.
''With everything she does, Ischico paints with colors.''
- Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ
''Ischico Velzel, a brilliant young pianist took the stage with a special performance'' - Grachtenfestival, Consulaat van Estland
Out now!
Kleurstof is my debut album, where classical works and my own music, influeces by jazz and folk music, come together. For me, music is a way to bring color to life—each track has its own shade. From the folk tales of Levina and Chebotarian to the rhythmic energy of Babadjanian and my own pieces, inspired by places and moments that shape me. Just as dye transforms water, I hope this music adds new colors to the listener’s world.
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+200k streams
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Apple Music Classical Global Top 100 (position 49)
Music
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Biography
Dutch-Indian pianist Ischico is a musical explorer who creates direct connections with her audiences through every performance. Her adventurous spirit leads her to discover hidden treasures in the piano repertoire, while her original pieces and improvisations weave together classical traditions with folk music and jazz influences. Critics praise her playing as 'efortlessly expressive' and 'technically extremely fluent.'
Drawing inspiration from diverse artists like Tigran Hamasyan, Zara Levina, Nitai Hershkovits, Ethan Gruska, and Spinvis, Ischico moves fluidly between musical worlds. A natural collaborator, she brings classical music into dialogue with other art forms, working with visual artists, dancers, and theater makers. Her curiosity for undiscovered musical gems earned her first prize in the Lamond Prize with Medtner's Sonata-Skazka.
She has performed on prestigious international stages, including Amsterdam's Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, and her performances have been featured on (inter)national radio stations, including NPO Klassiek and SBS Australia. Ischico regularly performs abroad, with performances in Dublin, London, Glasgow, and Barcelona, and has been part of several festivals, such as the Grachtenfestival and the Glasgow Piano Festival.
Ischico was classically trained in piano performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Barcelona's Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu and has participated in masterclasses by Dmitri Alexeev, Jacques Rouvier, and Hortense Cartier-Bresson. She has also received financial support from VSBFonds, Amarte Fonds, AFK, Heij Konijn Fonds, and Ars Donandi.
In addition to her love of making music, Ischico enjoys cooking, hiking with her friends during summer, and listening to all sorts of music while doing so. The simplicity of daily life and connection to the people around her inspires her music making in return.

calendar
2025
22th of February
Recital with clarinetist Santiago Lurueña
't Mosterdzaadje
13th of April
Recital at van Cappellenhuis
https://vancappellenhuis.stager.co/web/tickets
30th of May
Solo Recital
St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa, Canada
5th of October
Recital
Buitengewoon Klassiek, Theater de Bussel
10th of October
Double bill with Seán Morgan-Rooney
Live at our Place - NDSM Treehouse
2026
7th of March
Solo Recital
Perth, Scotland
20th - 27th of July
Summer tour Canada
2027
7th of Februari
Solo recital in Jong en Bevlogen
Theater Flint
2024
14th of January
Solo Recital
't Mosterdzaadje
21st of January
Solo Recital
Theaterhuis Amalia, Oegstgeest
16-27 maart
Artist in Residence at Huis A. Kraak
Album development + concerts
7th of April
Solo Recital
Vrienden Nicolaaskerk, Wijhe
11th of April
Private concert
Nijmegen
14th of April
Presentation of residency concert
Huis A. Kraak, Laren
21st of April
Recital with Santiago Luruena
't Mosterdzaadje
12th of May
Amsterdam Piano Sessions
'Treehouse NDSM
https://allevents.in/mobile/amp-event.php?event_id=10000887573745967
16th of May
Solo recital
Opus Amsterdam, Westerdok
23rd of May
Solo Recital
St Ann's, Dublin
24th of May
Solo Recital
Sandford Parish, Dublin
3-7th of June
Album recordings with 7 Mountain Records
Westvestkerk
18th of June
With Florianne Remme
Recital for Grachtenfestival
Private recital
30th of June
Mini Summer Festival
Huis A. Kraak
27th of August
Grachtenfestival
Amsterdam
28th of September
Solo Recital
De Kapel, Hilversum
23 november
Recital at Kunstmaand Ameland with Florianne Remme
https://www.kunstmaandameland.com/evenement/ischico-en-florianne-op-vleugel-en-cello/?
7th of December
Solo Recital
St. John's Kirk, Perth, Scotland







































